Locking electrical switch.



UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

COURTLAND B. MEUSER AND JOHN G. BREITHAUPT, OF ASHLAND. OHIO.

Application filed April 17. 1916.

To all W/LOWL it may concern:

lie it known that we. Colnrrnmn B. llllil'filfili and JonN (ir lhun'rrmtr'r, citizens of the United States. residing at Ashland. in the county of Ashland and State of Ohio. have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Locking Electrical Switches. of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to electrical switches. and has special reference to an improvement in that type thereof wherein the switch lever may be locked against movement.

To this end. the invention contemplates an electrical switch device including a lever that may be readily and quickly locked in its open position to prevent unauthorized persons operating the switch to close the circuit controlled thereby. Thus. the invention is of special utility in connection with switches that have to be located in places where unauthorized persons are likely to tamper therewith. as for instance. automobiles or other vehicles using an electrical current.

Accordingly. the present invention has primarily in view a novel and practical switch locking device of the character indi cated which is simple and reliable in operation. and easily locked without the use of separate locks or keys. That is to say. the present invention contemplates a switch device including a lock of the keyless or permutation type. thus making the switch inoperative to all except authorized parties familiar with the proper combination.

lVith the above and other objects in view which will more readily appear as the nature of the invention is better understood, the same consists in the novel construction. combination. and arrangement of parts hereinafter more fully described, illustrated and claimed.

A preferred and practical embodiment of the invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings. in which- Figure l is a front elevation of the present invention showing the switch lever in its normal locked position.

Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional view on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a View similar to Fig. 1 showing the switch lever unlocked and in one of its two circuit closing positions.

Fig. 4 is a vertical sectional view on the Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented July 10, 1917.

Serial No. 91,744.

line 4-l of Fig. 3 showing more clearly the relation of parts when the switch lever is unlocked as shown in l ig. 3.

Fig. 5 is a. cross sectional view on the line 5 5 of Fig. 3.

Similar reference characters designate corresponding parts throughout the several figures of the drawings.

Although the present invention is susccptiblc of application to various types of electrical switches. it is of special utility in connection with those commonly found on automobiles. and accordingly. there is shown in the drawings. for the purpose of illustration. a switch construction of the type especially designed for use in connection with a dual ignition system which requires a two-position switch. Therefore. in carrying the present invention into effect. it is proposed to employ a switch base memher 1 having fastening receiving openings 2 for facilitating the attaching of the device to a support. and also having a switch over 3 which provides a housing for the switch mechanism and locking devices constituting the present invention.

As will be apparent from an inspection of the drawings. the switch cover 3 is provided in its front wall with a. switching slot at which is of substantially T-shaped form. That is to say. this slot essentially includes a tail portion T having at one end the laterally disposed wing portions TV. in which a main switch lever 5 is adapted to move. This switch lever is preferably of angular formation as will be observed more particularly from Figs. 2 and t. and therefore includes a handle portion H which is adapted to project extcriorly of the switch cover to be accessible to the operator. and an inter nal shank portion 3 having a. reduced upper end 6 which is swiveled in a sleeve member 7 pivotally mounted between the spaced posts 8 rigidly carried by the base member 1. Thus. the switching lever 5 has a swivel mounting pivotally supported on the switch base whereby it may have both a swinging movement between the posts 8. and a lateral movement because of the swivel connection at the shank end thereof with the sleeve 7. whereby the handle portion ll of the lever may freely move from the tail portion of the slot 4 into the wings thereof as will hereinafter more fully appear.

With further reference to the switch lever :1. it will he observed tl at the same rigidly carries on its shank portion 5 adjacent the angular handle portion ll. a transversely disposed har of insulating material ll having: at the ends thereof contact memhers it) to which are attached the terminals ol cur rent carrying wires 11. Mounted on the su itch hase l directly hchind the ends ol' the insulating har ll which *arries the terminals of the circuit wires. are lixed contacts lil. so that when the switch lever is pushed into either one of its two circuit closing positions. the electrical circuit will he closed through the contacting ol one of the movahle wire terminals with one of the fixed contacts 11?. For the purpose of maintaining the switch lever in its normal open position. that is. so that the terminal contacts carried hy the har 9 are clear of the contacts 12, a spring 1 is employed. the same having one end attached to the shank of the lever and the other end anchored to the switch cover. therefore. under ordinary conditions. it will he clan that the tension of the spring '13 will draw the handle portion of the switch lever upwardly into the tail portion T of the switching; slot l. and thus hold the switch parts in their open position as above indicated.

In order to lock the switch lever 5 in the tail portion of the slot t. a permutation lOCklXlfI device D may he employed. This device is supported between the cover plate 3 and hase memher 1 in a position directly helow the switch lever. As will he observed from the drawinf s. this locking devic cssentially includes in its organization a plurality 0t permutating disks or tunihlel's ll. 15 and 1h carrietil upon the spindle 17 of an operating knoh 18 disposed evteriorly ol' the cover. The spindle of this operating: knoli above referred to is provided with a squared portion 19 for receiving the master disk l t. while the ren'iainder ol' the spindle is termed rouml as indicated at 20 and carries the secondary permutating disks 1?) and 16. which are spaced from the master di k. each other. and the hase of the casing hy means of the suitahle spacing washers 321. The end of this spindle opposite the knoh 15 receives a nut 20 which rt'itatahly locks the spindle to the hast.

The said penuutation disks or tuinl lcrs ll. and Ill are each provided with serrated peripheries as shown. although this is not essential for the master disk ll. since the latter is provided with a huh ratchet It For engaging with a spring pawl I 1- which con stitules a Friction hrake or drag lior this disk. and to provide a similar hraking etlect on each of the other disks. :1 douhle lingered spring '32 is employed. as shown. To order that the master disk may pick up the adjacent disk of the series. and the latter. in turn. pick up the succeeding one. each disk is provided with offset lugs or projeetions 23. Accordingly, it will he apparei'it that upon turning the operating knob 18, the master disk It will he the first to rotate and will pick up the disk 15. which latter will. upon further manipulation oi the knoh 18 in the proper direction. pick up the disk 16 to therehy luring the switch lever clearance notches 24 of each disk into alinement with the lower end ol the tail portion ol' the switching slot l. The switch lever B may then he moved through the alined clearance notches from its position in the tail portion of the notch hy downward hand pressure upon the handle portion thereof. to he shifted into either oi the wings of the switching slot.

All of the permutating disks of the locking device I are arranged in close proximity to the switch level 5. so that the peripheries thereof are suhstantially in line with a hori/ontal plane at the lower or exit end of the tail portion ol the slot. Thus. when the switch lever is held hy the spring 13 in its normal position in the tail portion T of the slot l-. the peripheries ol the disks lit. 15. and It: will prevent the swinging downward of the lever on its pivotal support between the posts 8. when hand pressure is supplied to the end of the handle H. Therefore. in order tor the circuit to he closed by the lateral turning of the main switch lever 5. it will he clear that all of the clearance notches 2% in the disks 14. 15. and 16 must he in alinement. and they can. only he hroug'ht into aliuement hy authorized parties knowing the correct numher of turns in ditlerent directions to give the knoh l9. In connection with this Feature ol the in vention. it is imp rtant to note that all of the disks must he in such a position that the notch in each one thereof is in alineinent. or it will he impossihlc to close the circuit through the lateral shifting of the switch lever. since it is essential tor the switch lever to make a full downward swing" l etore it can he shitted past the restraining shoulders 25 on each side of the exit end ol the tail poo tion T of the slot to enter the oppositely disposed keeper notch portions ll? of the wings. That is to say. the switch lever is only m vahle to citl er one of the two up" erativc positions when engaged with the disks ol' the locking device.

From the foregoing. it will be apparent that the present device essentially comprises a witch lever a: which has hoth a swinging movement ahout its point of pivotal support. and a lateral movement at right angles to the swinging movement. thus especially adapting the lever to Follow the path of a snhstantially T shapcd switching slot to oh tain a two-way circuit closing position and an intermediate locking position. That is to say. owing to the swivel connection of the shank end of the switch lever with the sleeve 1 ll ll vlltl T, which is pivotally supported between the posts 8, it is possible to move the angular switch lever downwardly in the tail portion of the slot against the tension of the spring 13, unless the swinging movement is prevented by the disks of the locking device D, in which case, the switch is locked. However, on the other hand, if the clearance notches 21 of the disks of the locking device are in alinement, the downward swinging of the switch lever 5 may be accomplished without hindrance, so that the handle portion [I thereof may be shifted to either one side or the other into the laterally disposed wings W of the slot, whereby the tension of the spring 13 will pull the handle into one of the keeper notches 26 upon the release of hand pressure on the handle. Thus, the contact is made on whichever one of the contacts that the operator desires, according to the lateral direction in which the handle of the switch is shifted. When it is desired to bring the switch lever back to its normal position in the tail portion T of the slot 4, it is only necessary to release the same from the keeper notch 26 and bring it back into alincment with the said tail portion of the slot. Upon releasing the handle in this position, the spring 13 pulls the same into the slot so that it is locked against movement in a lateral direction, and then the knob 18 of the locking device is turned so that the notches in the permutating disks are out of alinement and the peripheries of the latter come into obstructing relation with respect to the path of movement of the elbow portion of the switch lever. In this position of parts, the circuit is broken, and the switch is locked in its open position.

Without further description, it is thought that the many features and advantages of the present invention will be readily appa rent, and it will also be understood that various changes in the form, proportion, and minor details of construction may be resorted to without departing from the spirit of the invention or scope of the appended claims.

I claim l. A locking electrical switch including a switch cover having a slot comprising a tail portion and laterally disposed wing portions. a spring tensioned switch lever having a swinging movement and also a lateral pivotal movement and normally resting in the tail portion of said slot, and locking means for preventing the exit of the switch lever from the tail portion of the slot.

A locking electrical switch including a switch cover having a slot comprising a tail portion and laterally disposed wing portions, a spring tensioned switch lever having a swinging movement and also a lateral pivotal movement and normally resting in the tail portion of said slot, and permutation lock means [or preventing the exit of the switch lever from the tail portion of the slot.

3. A locking electrical switch including a. switch cover having a slot comprising a tail portion and laterally disposed wing portions, a spring tcnsioncd switch lever having a swinging movement and also a lateral pivotal movement and normally resting in the tail portion of said slot, and permutation lock means including a plurality of pcrmu lating disks for preventing the exit of the switch lever from the tail portion of the slot.

4. A locking electrical switch including a switch cover having a slot comprising a tail portion and laterally disposed wing portions, :1. spring tension switch lever ha \ing a swinging movement and also a lateral pivotal movement and normally resting in the tail porlion, of said slot. and permutation locking means including a plurality of permutating disks having peripheral notches normally out of registry to prevent the exit of the switch lever from the tail portion of the slot.

A locking electrical switch including a switch cover having a slot eom n'isiug a tail portion and laterally disposed wing portions, a spring tensioned switch lever having a swinging movement and also a lateral pivotal movement and normally resting in the tail portion of said slot, and permutation locking means cooperating with the tail portion of said slot and including a liilurality of permutaiing disks each having a lever clearance notch in its periphery and mounted on an operating spindle, said disks adaptcd to be rotated by the spindle to bring lhe notches in registry to release the lever from ihc tail portion of said slot.

(5. A locking electrical switch including a switch cover having a slot comprising a tail portion and laterally disposed wing portions. :1 spring tcnsioncd switch lever having a swinging movement and also a lateral movement. and notched permutating disks adapted to be brought into registry to per mit the switch lever to move from its normal position in the tail portion of the slot laterally into either wing thereof,

7. A locking electrical switch including a switch base carrying fixed contacts, a cover member having a slot including a tail portion and laterally disposed wings, a spring lensioncd switch lever having a swivel mounting pivotally supported on said switch lnlsewhcrcby said lever has both a swinging movement and also a la teral movement. scparate wire tcrn'iinal contacts carried by said lever, and means for locking the switch lever in the tail portion of said slot.

8. A locking electrical switch including a switch base carrying Fixed contact, a cover member ha ing a slol including a tail portion and laterally disposed wings, an angular wring tensioncvl switrl: lever having a ;-\\i\ll mounting [)lYUtflll; supported on said sn itch lJil C whereby said lever has both :1 swinging movement and also a lateral n1o\ elnent and separate wire tenninal contarts carried lrv said switch lever, and lock in means for holding switch lever in the all portion of said slot.

l lurking electrical switch including a r \\lltli ham carrying lixevl contacts, a cover int-nilwr having :1 slot including a tail portion and laterally disposed wings, an angular switch lever having a: swivel mounting pivotally supported on said switch base wherelrv said lever has both a swinging movement and also a lateral movement, a spring tor drawing the switch lever in the lll(('tl(lll ol' the tail portion of said slot, separate ire terminal contacts carried by said lever. and means for locking the lever in the tail portion of said slot.

to. locking electrical switch including .\'\\'ltll! lmse carrying fixed contacts, a cover nleniher having :1 slot including a tail portion and laterally disposed wings, a switch lever inning a swivel mounting pivotally supported on said switch hase whereby said lever has both a swinging movement and also a lateral movement, oppositely located \\'llt contacts carried hy said lever. a spring 'l'or normally maintaining the terminal contacts carried by the switch lever out of contact with the fixed contacts on the lease and in the tail portion of said slot, and means for locking the lever in. the said tail portion of the slot.

11. 1\ locking electrical switch including a switch hase carrying fixed contacts, a switch cover having a: slot. a spring tensioned switch lever having a swivel mounting, pivoted to said base whereby said lever has both a swinging movement and also a lateral movement, said base also carrying separate wire terminal contacts. said lever being adapted to work in said slot, and means IYU able into and out of the path of movement of said lever to either lock the same in the slot or permit its movement toward the fixed. contacts.

In testimony whereof we hereunto illfiX our signatures in the presence (1! two witnesses.

(TOURTLAND B. h'llfillfilllt. JOHN l. BRIIT'ITIIAUPI.

W itnesses \VM. VAGIION, Ha'nrm VAcnoN.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the "Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. C. 

